Studies on pre-treatment by compression for wood drying III: the reduction of moisture content,the recovery rate,and mechanical properties of wood compressed at different moisture content conditions

As a follow-up report, the pre-treatment by compression for wood drying was systematically studied in terms of the reduction of moisture content (MC), the recovery rate (RR), and mechanical properties of wood compressed at different MC conditions. The results showed that MC after compression on water-saturated wood determined the critical value of MC before compression which were about 84 and 105% at a compression ratio of 60 and 40% for Poplar and Chinese fir, respectively. Beyond the critical value, MC after compression remained constantly at about 84% and decreased slightly from 105% for Poplar and Chinese fir, respectively. The MC reduction decreased with the decrease of MC before compression. The MC reduction was rather effective when the MC before compression was higher than the critical value and was recommended to pre-treat for the effectiveness of MC reduction. In addition, after the recovery, the wood volume and mechanical properties were well retained for the wood compressed at all MC conditions which were above fiber saturation point (FSP) before and after compression. Therefore, the pre-treatment by compression is viable in terms of the RR and mechanical properties at rather broad MC conditions above FSP. Moreover, the compression force needed for treatment was almost same at these MC conditions.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for agronomic and physiological traits in maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) under high-nitrogen and low-nitrogen conditions

Low-nitrogen (LN) tolerance is a compound character with a complex genetic basis. Many agronomic traits have been shown to be closely related to LN tolerance in maize. In this study, 150 F₇ recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between inbreds 178 and K12 were evaluated for agronomical and physiological traits under high-nitrogen (HN) and LN conditions in 2 years. Inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM) was used to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for traits recorded under different treatments (LN and HN) in 2 years. In total, 86 QTLs were detected: 38 for HN and 35 for LN, while 13 QTLs were detected under both nitrogen levels, suggesting that LN-specific QTLs may play a role in improving LN tolerance in maize. Overlapping QTLs for different traits were located on all chromosomes except chromosome 4 and chromosome 9. Many of these regions overlapped with previously reported QTLs. Several consensus major QTLs and LN-specific major QTLs found in the study can be used in marker-assisted selection breeding for genetic improvement and LN tolerance in maize in the future.     

Quantification of Oxidant Demand and Consumption for In Situ Chemical Oxidation Design: in the Case of Potassium Permanganate

Accurate estimation of oxidant consumption during in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) is the key to determining the treatment effectiveness in contaminated sites. We established the estimation model of soil oxidant demand (SOD) and simulation equations of potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) dynamic consumption based on the reaction equation of KMnO₄ with reductive minerals and the estimation model of SOD. Model validation, model application, and simulation assessment had been accomplished. Results indicated that the simulations are in good agreement with measured data. The confidence level of the SOD estimation model of KMnO₄ was over 80%, with sensitivity in decreasing order as follows: organic matter content > initial KMnO₄ concentration > reductive minerals (RMs). Particularly, the organic matter played a dominate role in the SOD model estimation. The coefficient of determination (R²) of the SOD dynamic consumption simulation equation was above 0.9. Among the various types of soils, the overall trend of SOD value and reaction period decreased as follows: clay > loam > sand. However, the consumption rate of KMnO₄ decreased in the order of clay > sand > loam. In addition, SOD value, reaction period, and reaction rate all increased as the initial concentration of KMnO₄ went up. This work can provide a methodology and reference for selecting and estimating of the optimal oxidant doses and reaction period during field application.     

Effect of Growth Regulators on the Productivity of Some Major Oilseed Crops

A number of field experiments were conducted at the Viswavidyalaya Research Farm during 1984–85 to 1986–87 to study the effects of five growth regulators viz. Miraculan (a triacontanol based growth stimulant), Nutron (1-triacontanol growth stimulant), Planofix ( α -napthylacetic acid), Paras or Mixtalol (Higher alcoholic carbon compounds) and N-triacontanol on productivity of five different major oilseed crops viz. rapeseed ( Brassica campestris L. var. yellow sarson), mustard ( Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss), sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.), linseed ( Linum usitatissimum L.) and safflower ( Carthemus tinctorius L.). Results showed the positive influence of growth regulators on the productivity of crops (10–40 % increase in yield); however the influence was not consistent over the years. N-triacontanol when tried on mustard only improved the grain yield significantly, more so when applied with paras or planofix, sesame was most influenced by spraying planofix and paras. Nutron favourably influenced safflower and linseed. The test weight of grains followed by the number of pods/plant were influenced most by the application of growth regulators. Inconsistency in results over the years, however, need further investigations on the timing of spraying.     

Effect of Benzyladenine on Transpiration, Water Potential and its Components in Genotypes of Wheat Contrasting in Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant and susceptible cultivars of wheat, C-306 and Kalyan sona, growing under non-stressed and water-stressed conditions, were sprayed with benzyladenine (BA) at 70 days after sowing (DAS). Observations recorded at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days after spraying revealed that BA increased the rate of transpiration (TR) in C-306 under non-stressed conditions. However, under water stress, the increase was significant only after 5 days of BA spraying. In Kalyan sona BA treatment either decreased TR or did not exhibit significant increase under non-stressed conditions, but caused significant increase in TR under water stress. The increase in TR was elicited through enhanced stomatal opening. Water potential, osmotic potential and pressure potential of both genotypes decreased on account of water stress. The effect of BA was not perceptible on restoration of leaf water potential (LWP) or its components. The effect of BA was possibly confined to stomatal behaviour and transpiration.     

Cell Membrane Stability in Relation to Drought Tolerance in Wheat Genotypes

Genotyptc differences in wheat were observed in cell membrane with respect to injury caused by osmotic shock created with 40 per cent polyethylene glycol-6000. In general, genotypes with high cell membrane injury also registered much reduction in leaf water potential and osmotic potential. Cell membrane injury measured at 25 days after germination was found to be related with genotypic performance under drought conditions in field. Cell membrane stability measurements of normal plants, even at a very early stage of growth, is reported as criteria for selecting drought tolerant wheat genotypes.